JP7400957B2 - Vehicle status display device and vehicle status display method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle status display device and a vehicle status display method that display the status of a vehicle.

Conventionally, in electric vehicles that run using electric power for at least part of their motive power, when the charging rate of the battery that stores electric power becomes small, the output of the vehicle is limited, and the user is notified that the output is being limited. Techniques for notifying are known.
For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an electric vehicle that is equipped with a battery, a driving motor, an inverter, and a warning display device, and that runs by driving the driving motor with the electric power of the battery. The controller includes a control unit that limits the output power and turns on and off the display of the warning display device, and when the remaining capacity (SOC: State of Charge) of the battery is less than a predetermined capacity, the control unit controls the request of the driving motor. A requested power limiting means for limiting the electric power, an output voltage limiting means for limiting the output power of the battery according to the output characteristics of the battery when the remaining capacity (SOC) of the battery exceeds a predetermined capacity, and a driving motor. and a warning display means for displaying the restriction state on the warning display device when the required power is restricted or the battery output is restricted.

Japanese Patent No. 5730588

Once the vehicle's output is restricted, the driving experience will be significantly different from normal, such as being unable to accelerate normally even if the accelerator pedal is depressed. In the above-mentioned related technology, when the charging rate of the battery becomes smaller than the threshold value, output restriction is suddenly started, which may confuse the user. Further, in the related technology, since the output restriction is started without prior notice, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to perform a driving operation to avoid the output restriction.
The present disclosure has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to alleviate the inconveniences associated with vehicle output limitations.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle status display device according to the present disclosure includes a drive motor that drives drive wheels of a vehicle, and a battery that stores electric power used by the drive motor. comprising: an output limiting unit that limits the output of the vehicle when the charging rate of the battery becomes equal to or less than a first value; and a battery status display unit that displays the status of the battery on a display; The battery status display section includes a first display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds a second value that is larger than the first value, and a first display format indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds the second value. a second display form indicating that the battery's charging rate is less than or equal to the first value and exceeds the first value, and output restriction of the vehicle may be implemented; and The display is switched between the display mode and the third display mode indicating that the output is being limited.

Further, a vehicle status display method according to the present disclosure is a vehicle status display method for displaying a vehicle status of a vehicle that includes a drive motor that drives drive wheels of a vehicle and a battery that stores electric power used by the drive motor. and a step of limiting the output of the vehicle when the charging rate of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a first value, and a step of displaying the state of the battery on a display, and in the displaying step, the a first display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds a second value that is larger than the first value; and a second display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery is below the first value and that the output of the vehicle is being limited; The third display format shown in FIG.

According to the present disclosure, a preview display (display in the second display form) is performed before the output restriction is started due to a decrease in the charging rate of the battery, so that the user is notified of the possibility that the output restriction will be implemented. This is advantageous in improving user convenience. In addition, users who see the preview display can proactively take driving actions to avoid output limitations, which reduces the frequency with which output limitations are implemented, which is advantageous in preventing battery deterioration. becomes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle status display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of how the display is installed. (A) to (G) of FIG. 3 are diagrams showing an example of the display by the battery status display section. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the content displayed by the battery status display section and the charging rate of the battery. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the vehicle status display device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a vehicle status display device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle status display device according to an embodiment.
The vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle that includes at least a drive motor that drives drive wheels and a battery that stores electric power used by the drive motor. In this embodiment, a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor will be described as an example of a vehicle (electric vehicle) in which a vehicle status display device is mounted.
Note that the vehicle on which the vehicle status display device is mounted is not limited to a hybrid vehicle, and may be an electric vehicle equipped with only a battery and a motor. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a gasoline engine that uses gasoline as fuel will be described as an example of an engine installed in a vehicle, but a diesel hybrid vehicle that uses a diesel engine that uses light oil as fuel may also be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 12 includes a travel system 20, a power generation system 30, and an ECU 70.
The traveling system 20 is a drive mechanism of the vehicle 12, and includes a front wheel 21, a rear wheel 22, a drive motor 23, an inverter 24, an engine 25, the rotation of an output shaft 23A of the drive motor 23, and the output of the engine 25. It includes a transmission mechanism 26 that transmits the rotation of the shaft 25A to the front wheels 21, a fuel tank 40, and a battery 50.

The front wheels 21 and the rear wheels 22 each include two wheels paired in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the front wheel 21 serves as a drive wheel for the drive motor 23 and engine 25. For example, a drive motor 23 (a front wheel drive motor and a rear wheel drive motor) may be provided for each of the front wheels 21 and the rear wheels 22.
The drive motor 23 is driven using electric power stored in the battery 50, and outputs rotational force (torque) from the output shaft 23A. Note that the drive motor 23 can perform regenerative operation and generate regenerative power when the vehicle 12 is decelerating (eg, when the accelerator pedal is released). Electric power generated by the regenerative power generation is supplied to the battery 50 via the inverter 24 and charges the battery 50.

The inverter 24 adjusts the power of the battery 50 based on the user's (driver's) request and supplies the adjusted power to the drive motor 23 . The user's request includes, for example, the operation of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever (not shown), and the vehicle speed measured by a vehicle speed sensor, and is calculated by the ECU 70, which will be described later. The ECU 70 controls the inverter 24 based on the calculated output value requested by the user.

The engine 25 is driven by burning fuel supplied from the fuel tank 40 in a combustion chamber. In this embodiment, engine 25 is a reciprocating engine that uses gasoline as fuel. The driving of the engine 25 is controlled by an ECU 70, which will be described later.

The transmission mechanism 26 transmits the rotation of the output shaft 23A of the drive motor 23 to the front wheels 21, and also transmits the rotation of the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 to the front wheels 21. The transmission mechanism 26 includes a clutch device 27. The clutch device 27 includes a drive section 27C that allows the pair of clutch plates 27A, 27B to come into contact with each other and release the contact state.

The clutch plate 27A rotates together with the output shaft 25A of the engine 25. The clutch plate 27B rotates together with the output shaft 23A of the drive motor 23. When the clutch plates 27A, 27B are brought into contact with each other by the driving portion 27C, the clutch plates 27A, 27B rotate together with each other. As a result, the rotation of the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 is transmitted to the front wheels 21. When the clutch plates 27A and 27B are separated from each other by the drive unit 27C, the rotation of the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 is no longer transmitted to the front wheels 21. The drive unit 27C is controlled by an ECU 70, which will be described later.

The fuel tank 40 stores fuel (gasoline in this embodiment) that is the power source for the engine 25.
The battery 50 stores electric power that is a power source for the drive motor 23. The battery 50 is charged by power generation by the generator 31 (described later), regenerative power generation by the drive motor 23, and supply of power from an external power source via a charging connector (not shown) provided on the body of the vehicle 12. I can do it.
A BMU (Battery Management Unit) 50A is connected to the battery 50. The BMU 50A detects the voltage, temperature, and input/output current of the battery 50, and detects the state of the battery 50 including the state of charge (SOC). BMU 50A transmits the state of battery 50 (charging rate, battery voltage, battery temperature, etc.) to ECU 70.

The power generation system 30 is a mechanism for charging the battery 50 and includes an engine 25, a generator 31, and an inverter 24.

The rotation of the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 31A of the generator 31 via the second transmission mechanism 32. When the generator 31 becomes capable of generating electricity under the control of the ECU 70, the rotating shaft 31A rotates in response to the rotation of the output shaft 25A of the engine 25, and generates electricity. The generator 31 is connected to the inverter 24 , and the AC power generated by the generator 31 is converted into DC power by the inverter 24 and charged into the battery 50 .
Furthermore, in the series running mode to be described later, the AC power generated by the generator 31 is used as it is to drive the drive motor 23. In this case, the power generated by the generator 31 is appropriately frequency-converted by the inverter 24 and then supplied to the drive motor 23 .

The generator 31 also functions as an electric motor (starter) when starting the engine 25. When starting the engine 25, the ECU 70 controls the inverter 24 to drive the generator 31. When the generator 31 is driven, the rotating shaft 31A rotates. Since the rotating shaft 31A is connected to the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 via the second transmission mechanism 32, when the generator 31 is driven and the rotating shaft 31A rotates, the output shaft 25A of the engine 25 cannot be rotated. can.

The display 60 is provided at a location within the vehicle that is visible to the user while driving, and displays various information. The display 60 is provided within an instrument panel 62 of the vehicle 12, for example, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, a battery status display section 704, which will be described later, displays the battery status using a partial area of the display 60 (within the dotted line frame in FIG. 2).
Note that the display 60 may be one that utilizes the windshield of the vehicle, such as a head-up display, for example. The content displayed on the display 60 is controlled by a battery status display section 704 of the ECU 70, which will be described later.

The ECU 70 functions as a vehicle control device that controls the entire vehicle 12, and also functions as a vehicle status display device 10 that displays the status of the vehicle 12 on the display 60.
The ECU 70 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores control programs, a RAM that serves as an operating area for the control programs, an EEPROM that holds various types of data in a rewritable manner, an interface section that interfaces with peripheral circuits, etc. Ru.
The ECU 70 realizes a drive control section 700, an output restriction section 702, and a battery status display section 704 by the CPU executing the control program.

The drive control unit 700 controls various parts of the vehicle 12, such as the drive motor 23, the engine 25, the generator 31, and the clutch, based on user settings input via various operation units (not shown), the charging rate of the battery 50, etc. Controls the drive unit 27C of the device 27, etc.
The drive control unit 700 controls three driving modes of the vehicle 12, namely A. EV (Electric Vehicle) driving mode, B. Series running mode, C. The vehicle 12 is driven by appropriately switching between three types of parallel running modes.

The three driving modes will be explained below.
A. EV driving mode This is a mode in which the engine 25 is stopped and the axle is rotated by the driving force of the drive motor 23 to drive the vehicle. The electric power supplied to the drive motor 23 in the EV driving mode is only the accumulated electric power stored in the battery 50.

B. Series driving mode In this mode, the engine 25 drives the generator 31 to generate electricity, and the drive motor 23 rotates the axle to drive the vehicle. The electric power supplied to the drive motor 23 in the series running mode is the accumulated electric power accumulated in the battery 50 and the generated electric power generated by the generator 31.
The series driving mode is entered, for example, when the charging rate of the battery 50 falls below a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as "power generation start charging rate") during the EV driving mode. That is, when the charging rate of the battery 50 becomes equal to or lower than the power generation start charging rate, forced power generation by the generator 31 is performed. In addition, when the required output exceeds a predetermined value at low to medium speeds during EV driving mode (such as when the accelerator is depressed), the electric power generated by the generator 31 is used in addition to the electric power from the battery 50 to drive the vehicle. In order to supply the motor 23, the mode shifts to the series mode.

C. Parallel running mode This is a mode in which the vehicle runs by rotating the axle using the driving force of the engine 25 and the driving motor 23.
In particular, when the efficiency of the axle drive by the engine 25 is high, such as during high-speed driving, the vehicle shifts to the parallel driving mode. The axle is mainly driven by the engine 25, and the drive motor 23 assists during acceleration. Even in the parallel travel mode, it is possible to transmit the driving force of the engine 25 to the generator 31 to generate electricity (that is, to divide the driving force of the engine 25 into driving and power generation).

Output limiting section 702 limits the output of vehicle 12 when the charging rate of battery 50 becomes less than or equal to a first value. For example, in a high load state such as when driving on a slope with a steep slope, if the output required for driving the vehicle exceeds the maximum output of the engine 25, the engine 25 alone cannot cover the output necessary for driving. The output is supplemented from the battery 50. That is, the battery 50 is discharged. If such a high load state continues, the charging rate of the battery 50 will decrease, and there is a possibility that over-discharge will occur which may eventually cause deterioration of the battery 50. The output limiting unit 702 limits the output of the vehicle in order to prevent such overdischarge.
Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the "first value" of the charging rate will be referred to as the "output limit charging rate." In this embodiment, it is assumed that the output limit charging rate<the power generation start charging rate.

Battery status display section 704 displays the status of battery 50 on display 60. In this embodiment, the battery status display section 704 mainly displays whether the vehicle 12 is in the output restriction state and the grace period of the charging rate until the output restriction is started.
That is, the battery status display section 704 displays a first display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds a second value that is larger than the first value (output limit charging rate), and The charging rate is equal to or lower than the second charging rate and exceeds the first charging rate, indicating that the output restriction of the vehicle 12 may be implemented (a grace period until the output restriction of the vehicle is implemented). The second display mode and the third display mode indicating that the charging rate of the battery 50 is lower than the first charging rate and the output of the vehicle 12 is being limited are displayed.
Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the "second value" of the charging rate will be referred to as the "advance start charging rate."

(A) to (G) of FIG. 3 are diagrams showing an example of the display by the battery status display section.
An advance notice start charging rate is set in advance for the charge rate of the battery 50, which is larger than the output limit charge rate (advance start charge rate>output limit charge rate). Then, while the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the advance notice start charge rate (current charge rate > advance notice start charge rate), the normal display (first display form) shown in (A) of FIG. 3 is displayed. 60. In this embodiment, the normal display is assumed to display the continuous travel distance of the vehicle 12.

When the charging rate of the battery 50 becomes equal to or lower than the advance notice start charge rate (current charge rate ≦ advance notice start charge rate), the battery status display section 704 displays the advance notice display shown in FIGS. 3(B) to 3(F). 2nd display form) is displayed on the display 60 (normal display is switched to preview display).
The advance notice display is a message display M ("Output limitation will start soon") informing that output limitation may start, and an indicator display indicating a grace period for the charging rate until output limitation starts. Contains I. The turtle mark on the far left is the output limit display T that indicates whether or not the output limit is being implemented. During the notice display (when the output limit is not being implemented), it is displayed in a color that is less conspicuous than the notice display, such as in an achromatic color. Ru.

In the example of FIG. 3, the indicator display I is divided into four areas, and each area is displayed in a chromatic color or an achromatic color. The larger the number of areas displayed in chromatic colors, the greater the delay in charging rate (remaining power amount) until output restriction starts, and the smaller the number of areas displayed in chromatic colors, the more output restriction will start. This indicates that there is a small delay in the charging rate.
That is, the second display form includes an indicator display I that shows the difference between the current charging rate of the battery 50 and the first value (output limit charging rate).
Note that instead of dividing the indicator display I into a plurality of regions as in this embodiment, a display mode may be adopted in which, for example, the length of the bar graph changes continuously. Furthermore, the number of divisions of the indicator display is not limited to four, but can be any number greater than or equal to two.

For example, in FIG. 3B, all four areas are displayed in chromatic colors, indicating that there is a relatively long period of time before output restriction begins. If the vehicle 12 continues to run in the same state (travel speed, climbing, presence or absence of towing, etc.), the charging rate of the battery 50 decreases, and as shown in FIG. The display switches in the order of (D) (chromatic color 2, achromatic color 2), (E) (chromatic color 1, achromatic color 3) in Figure 3, and (F) (chromatic color 0, achromatic color 4) in Figure 3. To go. At this time, the chromatic color area is gradually decreased from the side farthest from the output limit display T (switched to achromatic color). This makes it possible to visually represent that the grace period until output restriction starts is gradually decreasing.

In this embodiment, for example, the background color of the display 60 is black, the chromatic color of the indicator display I is blue, and the achromatic color is gray. Further, the output limit display T during the preview display is white.

Note that if the charging rate of the battery 50 is recovered by the user taking measures such as decelerating or stopping the vehicle 12 during the preview display, the battery status display section 704 increases the chromatic color area of the indicator display I. Then, when the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the charging rate at which the preview display starts, the display returns to the normal display.
That is, if the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the second value (advance start charging rate) after the start of displaying the second display format, the battery status display unit 704 switches the display to the first display format. .

Then, when the charging rate of the battery 50 becomes less than the output limiting charging rate, the output limiting section 702 starts output limiting, and the battery status display section 704 displays the output limiting display (third display) shown in FIG. 3(G). form).
The output restriction display T during output restriction switches from white, which is the display color during preview display, to a chromatic color, for example, orange.
That is, the second display form and the third display form include an output limit display T indicating whether or not the output limit is implemented, and the output limit display T in the third display form is the output limit display T in the second display form. Displayed in a color tone with higher saturation than display T.
This makes it possible to visually indicate that output restriction has started.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the content displayed by the battery status display section and the charging rate of the battery.
In the example of FIG. 4, the output limit charging rate is 14.5% and the advance notice start charging rate is 20.0%. Furthermore, since the indicator display I for the preview display is to be switched in increments of 0.5% of the charging rate, the display is switched more finely than in the example of FIG. 3.
When the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the advance notice start charging rate of 20.0%, the battery status display unit 704 displays a normal display illustrated in FIG. 3A on the display 60.

When the charging rate of the battery 50 becomes 20.0% or less, the battery status display unit 704 changes the display on the display 60 to a preview display. In the example of FIG. 4, the indicator display I is divided into n areas at 0.5% charging rate intervals, and the number of chromatic color display areas changes every time the charging rate changes by 0.5%.
Then, when the charging rate of the battery 50 becomes 14.5% or less, which is the output start charging rate, the battery status display unit 704 changes the display on the display 60 to the output limit display illustrated in FIG. 3(G).

Note that the output limiting section 702 may limit the output based on the temperature of the battery 50 (battery temperature). Specifically, output limiting section 702 limits the output of vehicle 12 when the temperature of battery 50 exceeds a predetermined output limit temperature. This is because when the battery 50 reaches a high temperature, its output performance decreases and the driving force becomes insufficient. Further, if the battery 50 is used in a high temperature state for a long period of time, there is a possibility that the battery 50 itself or its peripheral parts will fail.
When output limitation is implemented due to battery temperature, battery status display section 704 displays an output limitation display (third display form) regardless of the charging rate of battery 50.

Further, in order to prevent an excessive load on the battery 50, the output limit charging rate and the advance warning start charging rate may be changed based on the battery temperature, for example. Specifically, for example, when the battery temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the output limit charging rate and warning start charging rate are increased in proportion to the battery temperature, so that the output limit and warning display start at an earlier timing. You can.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the vehicle status display device.
The output limiting unit 702 acquires information on the charging rate and temperature of the battery 50 from the BMU 50A (step S500).
If the temperature of the battery 50 exceeds the output limit temperature (step S502: Yes), the output limiting unit 702 limits the output regardless of the charging rate of the battery 50 (step S514), and the battery status display unit 704 , displays an output limit display on the display 60 (step S516).
On the other hand, if the temperature of the battery 50 does not exceed the output limit temperature (step S502: No), the battery status display unit 704 determines whether the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the advance notice start charging rate (step S502: No). S504).
If the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the advance notice start charging rate (step S504: Yes), the battery status display unit 704 displays a normal display on the display 60 (step S506).
Further, if the charging rate of the battery 50 does not exceed the advance notice start charge rate, that is, is below the advance notice start charge rate (step S504: No), the battery status display unit 704 indicates that the charge rate of the battery 50 is below the output limit charge rate. It is determined whether it exceeds the limit (step S508).
If the charging rate of the battery 50 exceeds the output limit charging rate (step S508: Yes), the battery status display unit 704 determines the display level of the indicator display I of the preview display based on the charging rate (step S510). , displays a preview display on the display 60 (step S512).
Further, if the charging rate of the battery 50 does not exceed the output limit charging rate, that is, is below the output limit charging rate (step S508: No), the output limiting unit 702 limits the output of the battery 50 (step S514), The battery status display unit 704 displays an output limit display on the display 60 (step S516).

As explained above, according to the vehicle status display device 10 according to the embodiment, a notice is displayed before the output restriction starts due to a decrease in the charging rate of the battery 50, so that there is a possibility that the output restriction will be implemented. This is advantageous in improving user convenience. In addition, since the user who sees the preview display can actively perform driving actions to avoid the output restriction, the frequency at which the output restriction is implemented can be reduced, which is effective in preventing deterioration of the vehicle 12. It will be advantageous.
Furthermore, if the vehicle status display device 10 includes an indicator display I indicating the difference between the current charging rate of the battery 50 and the output limit charging rate in the preview display, the user can receive a grace period until the output limit is implemented. can be grasped intuitively, which is advantageous in further improving user convenience.
Further, in the vehicle status display device 10, if the output is limited based on the temperature of the battery 50, deterioration of the battery 50 due to excessive load can be more reliably prevented.

This application is based on the Japanese application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-078922) filed on April 28, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to the vehicle status display device and vehicle status display method of the present disclosure, inconveniences associated with vehicle output limitations can be alleviated.

10 Vehicle status display device 12 Vehicle 20 Travel system 23 Drive motor 25 Engine 30 Power generation system 31 Generator 40 Fuel tank 50 Battery 60 Display 70 ECU
700 Drive control section 702 Output limiting section 704 Battery status display section

Claims (5)

A vehicle status display device for a vehicle, comprising a drive motor that drives drive wheels of the vehicle, and a battery that stores electric power used by the drive motor,
an output limiting unit that limits the output of the vehicle when the charging rate of the battery becomes equal to or less than a first value;
a battery status display unit that displays the status of the battery on a display;
The battery status display section includes a second display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds the first value and output restriction of the vehicle may be implemented; displaying a third display mode that indicates that the charging rate is below the first value and that the vehicle is under output restriction;
The battery status display section displays an indicator display and an output limit display side by side,
The indicator display indicates a difference between the current charging rate of the battery and the first value, and in the second display form, the indicator display indicates a difference between the current charging rate of the battery and the first value; The display changes to the nearer side,
The output restriction display indicates whether or not output restriction is implemented, and the display in the third display form and the display in the second display form are different .
A vehicle status display device characterized by: The battery status display section changes the display to the second display mode if the charging rate of the battery exceeds a second value that is larger than the first value after the second display mode starts displaying. to a first display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds the second value ;
The vehicle status display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output limiter limits the output of the vehicle when the temperature of the battery exceeds an output limit temperature,
The battery status display section displays the third display form regardless of the charging rate of the battery.
The vehicle status display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The output restriction display in the third display form is displayed in a color tone with higher saturation than the output restriction display in the second display form.
The vehicle status display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A vehicle status display method for displaying a vehicle status of a vehicle including a drive motor that drives drive wheels of the vehicle, and a battery that stores electric power used by the drive motor, the method comprising:
a limiting step of limiting the output of the vehicle when the charging rate of the battery becomes less than or equal to a first value;
a display step of displaying the state of the battery on a display;
Equipped with
In the displaying step, a second display form indicating that the charging rate of the battery exceeds the first value and output restriction of the vehicle may be implemented; and a charging rate of the battery. is less than or equal to the first value and the vehicle is under output restriction.
In the display, an indicator display and an output limit display are displayed side by side,
The indicator display indicates a difference between the current charging rate of the battery and the first value, and in the second display form, the indicator display indicates a difference between the current charging rate of the battery and the first value; The display changes to the nearer side,
The output restriction display indicates implementation of output restriction, and the display in the third display form and the display in the second display form are different .
A vehicle status display method characterized by:

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